As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I am a huge Leaf fan, have been for the past 26 years(entire life). Given my memories start back when Bester was the blue and white's net minder and they lost to the Blues in the first round of the playoffs(was at one of the games at the Gardens), I like to think I have a very open mind when it comes to hockey and the Leafs.

As I was looking at the comments made on my last blog (some very good points from everyone, had a blast reading people different point of views) they kinda sparked this idea for my new blog. A lot of comments about "tanking" to get Tavares who I have seen play and wow he is something else. But another thought came to mind when I was thinking about this.....Could he handle the pressure in the "Hockey Capital of Canada" if the Leafs got the first pick?

If drafted would the expectations of Leaf fans be set to high for him? Would anything less then "Rookie of the Year" be deemed a failure for his first season in Toronto? Would he be the next Captain? specially with all the hype that has surrounded him the past 2 years.

Like I said I have watched him, and wow his skill level is just surpasses anything I have seen from someone at that age....but is he as mature as Stamkos, Crosby, A.O. and some other first overall draft picks in the past few years? Again look at where those guys went...not quite hockey crazy markets, a little less pressure.

What about 6-5 Swedish D-man Victor Hedman?? best place to build a team is from the backend out??

I wrote this to see what everyone else thinks; I want this to be open to lots of comments. Thanks for reading.

July 9, 2008 1:25 PM ET
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doesnt matter if we finish dead last in the league, were not getting the first pick. the draft lottery is pre determined and even with the highest percentage chance at landing the first pick, bettman wont allow it to go to toronto. he knows teams in the US need to market players like stamkos, tavares to survive. its pretty sad we are penalized for being the biggest hockey market, but its reality. go to hell bettman

July 9, 2008 1:50 PM ET
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I don't see this happening. It's been how many years since the Daigle fiasco? Atheletes in this day and age are coached on everything, beyond what happens on the ice. I don't see the media (not the fans) bashing Tavares, should we be so lucky to draft him. And Blue Bleeder, that's a mighty conspiracy theory you've got there. Toronto sucks because of poor management, not Bettman. This comes from a leafs lifer. Let's get over ourselves and realize that this is a poorly managed mess of a team. Poni, Antropov, Stajan, Steen, and even Kaberle are not nearly as highly thought of in other hockey markets. This team, has crap for depth and crap for a roster. The sight of a promising skilled forward in the blue and white would do wonders for Leaf nation. It might make some of us realize that these third and fourth liners and muckers and grinders we pledge our aleignace to, really aren't what we want in a team. Watch a Habs game, and tell me that's not more fun...

July 9, 2008 4:02 PM ET
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I know it is a little larger scale but this kid has dealt heavily with the national media since he was 14. Their is no conspiracy in Toronto and, forunately, hockey does not revolve around the Leafs.

July 9, 2008 4:41 PM ET
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Well I wouldn't call a grand conspiracy, but I wouldn't doubt that at least one draft lottery was fixed. At least I'm still sure the Crosby one was, since that was just a little too convenient. Its not about being against the Leafs, just Bettman's plan for hockey in the South. Anyways that has little to do with the situation right now.If the Leafs manage to finish at the bottom worst they can get is 2nd. Which would mean a Tavares or Hedman. So you really can't go wrong in that kind of situation. But let's leave who they would pick and why for after the draft lottery. There are teams that will likely play worse than the Leafs next season anyways.I'm sure whoever the Leafs end up drafting next year will do fine. Care will be taken not to rush the guy and as a result ruin him. Future really depends on having a good group of young guys and next years draft will just add to it.

July 9, 2008 5:12 PM ET
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After the last draft lottery I was searching the web for pages about the lottery being fixed and I came upon an awful lot of blogs from right before Crosby's draft year and the consensus was that the lottery would be fixed and the Rangers would get him. It is true that the Pens were in a lot of trouble at the time but I think that no matter who won the first pick someone somewhere would say it wasn't done fairly. If any sports league were found to have rigged their draft like that they would lose all credibility and probably face serious legal action. I doubt the NHL would take that chance.

July 9, 2008 9:47 PM ET
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I hope the Leafs pick 4th overall...BRAYDEN SCHENN!!!!!!!!!!I agree though, and have been saying for a while that I felt Tavares is a bust risk... more media attention this year, and worse numbers as a result... imagine if he gets labeled the great hope for the Maple Leafs, a local boy to....

July 9, 2008 10:55 PM ET
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conspiracy? lottery fixed?? gimme a break...great blog though. i agree, th expectations for tavares would be massive. he would be the frnachise player and great things would be expected/demanded by us leaf fans. however....crosby didn't win rookie of the year and i think pittsburgh fans are still pretty happy with him..and to sabretooth5....buffalo sucks because their management makes JFJ look like brian burke and ken holland put together. you guys lost briere, drury, gave up campbell for bernier then lost bernier, paid vanek 7 million (i know it was matching an offer sheet), went from first place in the league to 20th in one season.....i would watch who say sucks if i were you.

July 10, 2008 7:53 AM ET
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Hey Brown: Have the leafs been to the finals twice since Buffalo came into the league? They should have in 99 but lost the confrence final to ---------oh yeah, Buffalo. And after all these losses you talk about, I believe the Sabres still finished ahead of Toronto last year. Or did the league let Toronto draft before Buffalo this summer out of sympathy?

July 12, 2008 4:27 AM ET
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zombie asks why stamkos is in the same sentence as AO/crosby... i wonder why AO and crosby are in the same sentence, other than rookie years they have little in common, 2 years age diference.... different positions... crosby had about 230 points total in the NHL, a playoff appearance , an MVP and a scoring title at the same age as ovechkins rookie year... for the record stamkos is a better skater than tavares, but tavares will still do well in whatever market he is drafted to, he will be a large part of this years world jrs.

July 25, 2008 2:05 PM ET
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Blue Bleeder, I cant echo your sentiments enough... Bettman decides who ball he is pulling first FOR SURE!!!! hence the curtain and you not actually seeing him "pull" the bal from the lottery machine... case in point, Flyers finish dead last and chi grabs 1st pick (hawks were in serious trouble before they landed kane.. (in my opinion) and again this year.. Kings land in the basement and who grabs the top pick?! The team that is jeopardy of moving/selling/bankruptsy.. the lightning. bull s@!t if you ask me.. the lightning couldnt draw fans with a cup, st louis, vinny AND Brad Richards, they trade away a star/franchise player in Richards just to have another star (Stamkos) handed to them on a silver platter. My advice.. send Bettman back to the NBA hes usless and as crooked as the letter S.